Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Review: Treat off Foxley

Titre : FeastAuthor de Foxly : Owen DaveyIllustrator : Owen DaveyPublisher : Hardie Grant Egmont, date de $26.95 RRPPublication : Format du septembre 2010 : coverISBN dur : âges 9781848771253For : 2+Type : bookAbout d'image : Foxly a faim. Comme, vraiment affamé. Et il croise pour une morsure. Quand il commence à égrapper la campagne pour une chute de dîner, il trouve toute la façon des poulets fox-like de tentateurs de ventre…, oiseaux, grenouilles, poulets, canards, lapins, moutons, même un petit hibou confiant qui le suit sur sa recherche gastronomique. Quand est-ce qu'il trouve-t-il finalement un emplacement abandonné de pique-nique, Foxly recueille ensemble ses plats et tasses et cuvettes pour le régal, il recueille son couteau et fourchette, il lèche ses côtelettes, il voûte au-dessus du petit hibou confiant… et est-ce que… bien, voulez-vous vraiment que je abîme la fin ? N'inquiétez pas la maman et le papa - ce livre peut abilement construire à un! e conclusion mystérieuse et logique, mais c'est totalement enfant en bas âge amical. Votre petit ne sera pas marqué pendant la vie au-dessus d'une petite montagne des plumes a empilé la haute à la page suivante. Tout est bien. Et mignon superbe. Bien que l'argument du régal de Foxly soit superbe-simple (le livre, qui a maintenant une ligne narrative simple par la page, a commencé la vie comme histoire sans mots) que ses illustrations sont loin de piéton. Davey a créé un régal visuel succulent qui a besoin à peine même d'un argument. Avec cela certaine rétro/moderne prise, il parque Foxley et ses trouvailles potentielles de dîner avec une telle finesse, plaisir visuel est assurément. Encré avec cette couleur douce de cru qui a également les possibilités curieuses à sauter de la page, les illustrations sont résolues avec l'émotion, l'humeur, la texture et un équilibre qui démonte cet âge d'auteur/d'illustrateur. À seulement 22 années, ce talent sout! enu britannique peut avoir un catalogue fort de travail d'illu! stration freelance (il mouille même en court-métrage) mais il ressemble aux livres d'enfants sont fortement gravés à l'eau-forte dans son futur. Regardez dehors, des websiteThis d'Emily Gravett.Author que le livre est accessible en ligne
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New 39 Clues Book Hits Stores Today -- Movie in the Works!

New 39 Clues Book Hits Stores Today -- Movie in the Works! Tuesday August 31, 2010

The 10th and final book in the popular 39 Clues children's book series, Into the Gauntlet, is out today. I'm taking my daughter to go get her copy after school, and she can't wait to see how the series ends. She read the first nine books over the summer and was absolutely enthralled.

The series follows siblings Amy and Dan Cahill, who embark on a dangerous around the world clue hunt that, for them, began with a challenge issued by their grandmother in her will. The stakes are high and the other family members who are after the same powerful information are ruthless, but Amy and Dan are determined to see the hunt through to the end and find out how to obtain a powerful family secret. The books also have an interactive element in that kids can go online and play games, get information, and find additional clues.

Not only can kids read the books and have an interactive online experience, but next year, they may also get to see the excitement and intrigue play out on the big screen. A recent press release about the sweepstakes surrounding the books confirms, "Movie rights for The 39 Clues have been acquired by DreamWorks Studios with Steven Spielberg eyeing to direct and Deborah Forte of Scholastic Media producing. The script is being penned by Jeff Nathanson." I am keeping my eye out for the official release date, but as of now it looks like the movie will hit theaters sometime in 2011.


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The superb haunted blog off manor plunges deeply in origins off attractions

Okay, so you consider yourself a fan of the Haunted Mansion, perhaps even a super fan. I guarantee you, there is stuff on the “Long Forgotten” blog that you don’t know. Take for instance, this piece about how the Haunted Mansion can draw some direct inspiration from French Cabarets of the 1800s.

Read the whole blog. It really is a master course on the Haunted Mansion.

Discuss this post, and anything else related to Disney, at the TownSquare Forums. Super Haunted Mansion blog dives deep into attractions origins The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans

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VeggieTales Has a Sweet Message for Kids

VeggieTales Has a Sweet Message for Kids Monday August 30, 2010

In contrast to the many kids' shows today that focus on stardom, looks, and sarcastic wit, a recent DVD from VeggieTales takes a few epitomic princess stories and turns them inward, to focus on the heart. VeggieTales: Sweetpea Beauty - A Girl After God's Own Heart uses colorful animation and the beloved Veggies to tell a story that entertains kids as it teaches that true beauty comes from the heart, and that we are all uniquely beautiful as we are, because that's how God made us.

For those who are fans of VeggieTales, this sweet new addition to the VeggieTales DVD collection will not disappoint. And for those who aren't yet familiar with the series, VeggieTales DVDs use animated stories to help kids learn how biblical lessons relate to their own lives. For those families who teach the Bible, or for those who want positive messages for kids and don't mind a few religious references, VeggieTales is a great line of Children's DVDs to check out.

(Photo © Big Idea)


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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Camp Rock 2 Premieres on Friday

Camp Rock 2 Premieres on Friday Saturday August 28, 2010

Kids can kick off Labor Day weekend with a bang with the premiere of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam next Friday, September 3 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT. Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers are back at camp this year, but a shocking surprise awaits them. A flashy new musical camp, Camp Star, has opened across the lake, and it looks like Camp Rock might be on the way out. Determined to save the camp they love, Camp Rockers get to work, and Mitchie ends up challenging Camp Star to an end of summer Final Jam. The winner of this televised competition will be determined by the audience. Mitchie and Shane continue the romance that began in the original Camp Rock movie, and a Romeo and Juliet twist adds tension to the flick when Nate falls for Dana, the daughter of th! e owner of Camp Star.

Disney has found a gold mine in these big hit Disney Channel movies, and it's really a win-win formula for parents and kids. The kids love the romance, the music, and the inspiring way the characters go after their dreams. Parents love that the movies are clean, the characters are decent role models, and there is always an uplifting message. Disney Channel Original Movies like High School Musical and Camp Rock seem to be directed at tweens, or kids about 9-13, but they are highly popular in the 6-11 year-old bracket, so a lot of younger kids watch them as well. If you tune in to Camp Rock 2 with your kids this Friday, check back and let us all know what you think. (Photo © Disney Enterprises. All rights reserved.)


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Review: Important things

Title: The Important ThingsAuthor: Peter CarnavasIllustrator: Peter CarnavasPublisher: New Frontier, $24.95 RRPFormat: HardcoverISBN: 9781921042287For ages: 4-8Type: Picture BookAbout: It's no secret I'm a Peter Carnavas fan and his latest book doesn't disappoint - this time about a Dad - who has gone away.

In tune with the author/illustrator's emotive and simple storylines that philosophise on the poignant moments on life - without schmaltz or over-sentimentality - The Important Things tugs quite agonisingly at the heartstrings whilst simultanously bringing a warm, feel-good squeeze to the chestal area.

Christopher's mother does everything. She has to because the young lad's father has died. ! In an attempt to overcome her grief, mum gathers up all the 'unimportant' stuff that belonged to Dad and takes it to a second hand store where these material possessions can make someone else happy.

But, mysteriously, these items begin to appear back in the house. The mum is baffled. She even checks at the second hand store, but the owner says nothing. Christopher says nothing. It is isn't until late one night that she accidentally learns how these items are reappearing in the house - borne by the love of a young son who can't bear to let his dad go.

They may only be small, inconsequential things, but a cracked coffee mug, a tattered hat, some old sheet music - these are the things that keep loved ones alive on our hearts - touching them, smelling them, feeling them, using them.

Carnvas has created a subtle, incredibly moving book that is priceless for those who have lost a loved one - and for those who haven't. Compassionate, open, real and honest, this ! book is yet another timeless book to add to your child's colle! ction.

Gorgeous illustrations belie their deliberate simplicity with powerful punches of emotion. Utterly beautiful. What more can I say? except have the tissues on hand.

Author website

This book is available online


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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Review: Further

Titrate: FartherAuthor/illustrator: Illustrator off Grahame Baker-Smith: Baker-SmithPublisher off Grahame: Templar, $29.95 RRPFormat: coverISBN hardware: old 9781848771260For: 5+Type: bookAbout off image: Does C not judge have book by its cover? Too much late! With Juste has glance one this cover I was hung. It is the history off has servant boy to which the father is so closed to him, however so remote in the spirit. With man off which days and the nights are to dream spent to fly starting from the small house one cliff. Very that He wants is to fly and He spends his time creating off beautiful wings to curry it starting from this place. It has dream which his/her its describes like “dreams occupied and authoritative who would not only leave it”. During one day this father is called party with the war, leaving his wife and wire alone. The years not and the servant boy becomes the become share off the dream to fly far and, after has adjustment some with the wings, it mak! es him the happenFor the first time, this servant boy feels closed to his father. I amndt lost for words. Pure This book… its illustrations are and magic, has intrigant off mixture realism and imagination. Its words are astounding and the reader feels drawn in this world completely. This history really encourage off you to feel sadness and the joy with which this servant boy Young people lives, and which passed from the generation to the generation in this family. The gasoline off the dreams is captured, the wonder, the danger, power and broad aspiration to dream and very consumed by the possibilities off imagination. The division off the dreams, however the absolute loneliness off such has vision. Intangible It is the history off year jump between the father and its, off the loss and the coils and arrangement. Has bruises which will touch all the hearts. This book is accessible one line
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Review: My dad thinks that it is funny

Titrate: My dad thinks that it is FunnyAuthor: Katrina GermeinIllustrator: Tom JellettPublisher: Books off black dog, goes back to $24.99 RRPPublication: Format off August 2010: coverISBN hardware: old 9781742031217For: 3+Type: bookAbout off image: It is often simplest, the majority off the “normal” extracts off the life which are funniest (afflicted mood, goal even off toilet functions one thus many levels) and duet Germein and Jellett off author/illustrator make so much well simplicity day to plow oh in my dad thinks that it is Funny.We that all knows and coil the dad off jokester which propose has procession without end off the tiring gibes which form the bases our childhood off. Tiring perhaps, goal also typical, traditional and recalled with such have heat. Yes, thesis gibes are taken generation with the generation and it just butt goes from oneself that our children will say them to their children… and well over there. In my dad thinks that it is funny, year Youn! g man accepted the hilarious reaction off the dad to the situations day labourers - it, for example, does not like to keep the children. He does not think that No matter who should sit down one babies. And it also is not located in the bed. He says that you should always say the truth. Known ace with off has beautiful spleen/rhythm, this intelligent and hot book is supplemented perfectly with the splendid illustrations comprising the facial expressions most perfect the father and its (divine bread including eye off this last). The uses Jellett off off the sketches one the paper off graph, the charcoal, the pencil and papers texturized made with this has off visually splendid book which is sour going well to has favourite off family. Ah, dad. What would we make without him (in does gibes splash off)? This book is accessible one line
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Friday, August 27, 2010

The Back-to-School Routine

The Back-to-School Routine Thursday August 26, 2010

In general, back-to-school means less TV for our family. It' s easy to keep kids from becoming couch potatoes when there is so much to do after school and so little time to do it! This being our first week back, we haven't turned the TV on once. But, since I have elementary school kids, they still think school is just one big play date anyway, so they don't mind coming home, having a small snack, and getting to their reading and other homework. I know that as kids get older they sometimes tend to come home and plop down on the couch. I can understand that -- kids have to think a lot harder all day when they get into upper elementary and middle school.

I am a big believer in routines. I read in a book once (sorry, can't remember which one) that routines are great for kids, but they should be flexible, so kids don't get so stuck on them that they can't handle change or a last minute wrench in the plans. I thought that sounded very logical. Routines help kids form the habits they need to take care of themselves and accomplish great things. But, being able to adapt and go with the flow is also an important skill.

Having an after school routine works for a lot of kids, and it can help them develop self-discipline, good work habits, and healthy TV habits. TV, along with related media, is one of life's addicting pleasures, and it's easy to get caught up watching TV or playing video games and find that hours of life have been sucked away. Helping kids find the balance between enjoying some down time and throwing hours of life out the window really helps them learn an important life lesson about self mastery and time management.

I like to give my kids a chance to create their own after school routine. When the responsibility is on their shoulders, they tend to come up with something that really is effective. Our kids decided that they wanted to have a snack and rest time, and then get right to their homework so they can get it done not have to worry about it. Sounds good to me! So, now that they have made the schedule, it's easy for me to help them stick to it -- on most days.

Do you have any after school challenges with TV time or video games? What has worked in your family?


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Fantastic fiction off adventure

I amndt thus filled with enthusiasm to Be indication off guest to the brilliant fantastic fiction for children, accomodated by Zoe Toft one his Web site, playing by the fiction off Book.Fantastic for children has series off posts butt the picture books, each one which implies has topic. I thing… VENTURE! You edge Be informed off my preferred books off adventure young stag! Megan
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Signature off book off mirror and exposure off art

You think you're passionate about children's books? Our KBR contributor Susan Whelan will give you a run for your money! Here Susan shares a glorious literary experience...It was a treat for my birthday â€" a trip to Sydney for the day with my family to attend the book signing for Jeannie Baker’s latest book Mirror at the Museum of Sydney.In addition to the opportunity to meet Jeannie, which was enticement enough, the artworks used for the illustrations for Mirror were on display and the book signing was accompanied by Moroccan musicians, Moroccan tea and Turkish delight.I saw Mirror for he first time at the exhibition and I was fascinated, as I always am, with the incredible detail in Jeannie’s illustrations. Being! able to view the 3D collages gave me a new appreciation for just how clever and beautiful and precise the work in these incredible artworks is.One of the things that struck me most about the crowd that had gathered for the Moroccan tea and exhibition was the diversity in ages. There were children such as my own there with parents through to a group of three older women visiting the museum together. Singles, couples, families, old and young, the artworks obviously struck a chord across a range of demographic groups and experiences.With the visual attraction of the artworks, hypnotic beat of the Moroccan music, warm tang of the green tea with mint and the sticky sweetness of the Turkish delight, the Mirror exhibition room was a feast for the senses. Occasionally someone would start dancing or clapping to the music and there was a wonderful festive atmosphere in the room.Meeting Jeannie was delightful and she was incredibly friendly. The museum giftshop had copies of most of ! Jeannie’s books available, many in both hard and soft cover ! as well as larger formats suitable for classroom or library reading sessions with groups of children.

The Mirror exhibition will be at the Museum of Sydney until 10th October 2010. It will then move on to several other locations around the country over the next two years. Details of locations and dates can be found at Jeannie Baker’s website.For those who can get to the exhibition at the Museum of Sydney, you might be particularly interested in visiting on the final date of the display, Sunday 10th October 2010, when Jeannie will be giving a talk about the development and inspiration for Mirror.Don't miss KBR's review of Mirror.
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Thursday, August 26, 2010

2 unexplored: Under of thieves for the magazines PS3

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Pictures, Images and Photos2009, while having a lot of great games, wasn’t as big as 2007, with releases like Super Mario Galaxy and Bioshock to name a few that defined 2007. However, we did get a lot of A-list titles like Infamous, Prototype, Punch Out!!, Ratchet and Clank Future: a Crack in Time, Muramasa: the Demon Blade, New Super Mario Brothers Wii, Left 4 Dead 2, Brutal Legend, Assassin’s Creed 2, and of course, Batman Arkham Asylum. While those are all great games in their respective genre, one game kind of took over the spotlight for the title for Game of the Year. What is this game that took the world and critics by storm as the best game of 2009? Well, this title is just simply known as Sonic and the Black Knight. No, I’m kidding. That game sucked. The actual name of the game is called Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. I have never see! n such critical acclaim for a third person shooter. I mean, I enjoyed the first Uncharted even with its small faults that held it back, but check these awards out that this game has won. Best PS3 game of E3 2009 by 1UP.com, Best Third Person Shooter, Best Graphics, Best Story, and Best Single Player Campaign by Gametrailers.com, and multiple Game of the Year awards from other sites and magazines. Gosh dang, this game better be as amazing as everyone says it is. Let’s dive right into what people consider one of the single best PS3 games of all time. The story takes place with Nathan Drake waking up in a train car, hanging off the side of a mountain in Nepal. It then turns to flashbacks to show what happened to Nathan Drake to get to where he is now. It turns out that he has teamed up with two old companions to find the lost treasure of Marco Polo. However, during this adventure Nathan encounters betrayal, and has to get the treasure while trying not to get killed by a psyc! hopath named Zoran Lazarevic. It then turns into a race to the! treasur e, kind of like how the Indiana Jones films are set up, except I think I prefer this story to the Indiana Jones films though. While not an original idea, since like I said, it’s like Romancing the Stone or the Indiana Jones franchise, but it works and it is executed really well. Now, I am going to go in-depth with the story of a minute so I don’t care if I spoil it for people who haven’t played this game. The thing with the first game was that it was a good story, but in the end, the twist was, I think, not that good. Don’t get me wrong. Nathan realizing that people who touch the El Dorado statue turn into zombie vampire things is an interesting twist, but I didn’t like it. The same kind of twist happens here in Among Thieves. Nathan is actually trying to find this giant gemstone that Marco Polo found, but then he realizes that the gemstone isn’t really a stone. It turns out that the gemstone is actually blue amber from the tree of life. What happens this time is! people who eat the amber turn into these buff blue warriors who guard the tree of life. Now, what I like about this is that it’s a little more reasonable twist than the twist in Uncharted, where it turned the crew of Nathan’s ancestor into creatures. I was expecting something more like the Aztec Indians that were still alive in the final area of the game. It just made me feel like I was playing Resident Evil 4 or 5. In Uncharted 2 however, I think its handled more, since the blue warriors are still strong, but don’t overwhelm you in numbers like in the last game. The story is also longer which means the game is longer, which is always a bonus. Give me a long story over multiplayer any day.The gameplay featured in Uncharted is more of the same stuff that you would do in the first game. You go around solving environmental puzzles, collecting treasure, platforming, and shooting enemies. The shooting is, of course, done in Gears of War-style third person shooting. It’s! basic, but it works well, unlike Dark Void. Another interesti! ng gimmi ck that the game has added is stealth, but it’s not all perfect, and I will explain later. The fist-to-fist combat has also been fixed better, and it works really well. The multiplayer is nothing that I have ever seen in a game. I have played some Modern Warfare online, but I think Uncharted 2 blows Modern Warfare’s multiplayer out of the water. You get a lot of variety in online modes like a 3 person co-op campaign mode, variations of capture the flag, Horde, and other multiplayer modes that you can find on other shooters. Recently, like a few months back, they have come out with more maps and a new siege mode, but I haven’t been able to play that, so I can’t talk much about it. The graphics in the game are just amazing. It’s definitely right up there with games like God of War 3 and Heavy Rain, which happens to be two of my favorite games of all time. It is amazing to see all the details, like Drake’s legs getting covered in snow, or when his whole body goes in! the water. They put a lot of hard work in this sequel and it shows. The only thing that would be more amazing is after beating each chapter or for each amazing graphical detail you can spot, you would get 100 dollars. The voice acting is also very well done with, of course, Nolan North, Emily Rose, and Richard McGonagle returning in their respective roles, and new actors like Claudia Black, Steve Valentine, and Graham McTavish doing, in order, Chloe Frazer, Harry Flynn, and Zoran Lazerevic. The humor in the game is good, but sometimes it is downright hilarious. Another great thing about the acting is that the script is written so well that you get enlightened by everyone’s past relationship with each other without it being shoved in your face like other games. Overall, the presentation is one of the best I have ever seen on a single game. The music is once again amazing, and I just love it. Composer Greg Edmonson who is famous for the soundtrack for Firefly once again do! es an amazing job with this game’s soundtrack.However, there! are som e chinks in this game’s strong defense that kind of bothers me. The intelligence in the enemies is really questionable. During the stealth segments, it seems like the enemies are just stupid not to notice you’re right there next to them. Granted, the blue Avatar buff enemies are smarter and will come at you with force, but it doesn’t make up for the rest of the enemies in the game. That is basically the only thing I think is wrong with this game, though it makes up for it with enemies who will outnumber you if you stay in one place too long. It makes you push forward and go through the fight. Uncharted 2 was just amazing to play. This has to be one of the best experiences that I have ever had playing a video game. This is definitely an unexpected addition to some of my favorite games of all time. If you own a Playstation 3 and don’t have this game, there is something wrong with you. I would buy this game on the spot if I saw a copy of it. It’s fun, intense, filled ! with action, and is all around wonderful to play. Don’t just take my word for it, go check it out yourselfThis game gets a 9.8 out of 10
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Review: My olive off sister

Titrate: My OliveAuthor sister: Paula RussellIllustrator: Gaye ChapmanPublisher: Few hares, go back to $24.95 RRPPublication: Format off September 2010: coverISBN hardware: old 9781921272882For: 3+Type: bookAbout off image: The big sisters are marvellous. Goal sometimes it is difficult to live up to their levels. The little girl in this history has big sister, olive. The olive is not simply good with all, it is the best in the world with the things ace the skipping rope, attaching its lace, making wheels and all the other little girls off things like to make. The younger sister is not jealous. She seeks with her sister. She wants to Be right like her. Thereafter, its olive off big sister the assistance to realize that it is perfect the manner that it is - and there is something which she is the best in the world to Be made. Written in admirably reiterated language (“my olive is the best in the world with… ”), it has bruises to find your own identity off under the shade! off the children off same gifted parents. It inside the pretty ones, female colors, with pinks, purples and flowers everywhere the pages, it has history particularly conceived for sisters (aucuns allowed brothers!). It has history which all the little sisters will like. This book is accessible one line
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Interview off author: Steve Stick

Author Steve Cole is joining us today, all the way from the UK! Steve is the author of many adventure books and thrillers, including the Slime Squad and Astrosaurs series. AND he'll be in Australia in September, appearing at the Brisbane Writers Festival on September 2 and 3!See more about Steve's work at stevecolebooks.co.uk and visit the Brisbane Writers Festival site for details of his appearances.Tell us a little about you: what’s your background, your story? I was born just outside London in 1971. I grew up liking stories, then went to university to read more of them before going to work as an editor of books and magazines for both children and grown-ups. I wrote in my spare time and eventually I got to give up the day job and scribble full time.Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? As an ei! ght year old I used to write episode guides to a made-up TV show called ‘The Peter and Anne Adventures’. Naturally I starred as Peter, dashing ghost hunter and alien battler… The first actual story I wrote that I remember was written aged nine, called ‘Conkhead Island’ - a surreal epic about a living island shaped like a giant nose. Sort of set the tone, really. What genre do you now write in? Children’s fantasy comedy-adventure and young adult thrillers.What other genres have you written in? I’ve written lots of Doctor Who novels, some aimed at adult audiences.What do you love about writing for children? You can let your imagination go on the rampage, the wilder the better. It’s very freeing.Tell us about your path! to havi ng your books published. It was some poems I wrote for my magazines that led to my first books being published, little pop-up poem books. As a book editor for the BBC and then a freelancer I got into scripting lots of TV/movie tie-ins and series fiction that helped me get an agent. From there I started writing my own book series.What are the greatest blocks or obstacles you have experienced on your book-writing journey? Alas, I suffer with Repetitive Strain Injury from too much typing. I write a lot more longhand now.What’s a typical writing day? I’ve normally got a deadline looming so it’s pretty full on. I write on and off all day and half the night, breaking for meals, reminding the kids I’m still alive and so on. I’m probably a bit of a workaholic.What advice do you have on writing? Be persistent, but be realistic.! Don’t cling to treasured ideas that aren’t working. Grow a thick skin and listen to criticism. And enjoy what you do â€" if you’re writing for personal fulfilment first, you’re getting something out of it, whether or not publishers and plaudits follow.What books did you read as a child? Endless Doctor Who books and Spider-Man comics… and plenty of Roald Dahl. I love the way his books make you see things differently. Like in The Witches, when the boy becomes a mouse but actually isn’t very bothered because he can see there are very good things about being a mouse… Fantastic Mr Fox is my favourite â€" tense, funny and very satisfying when the farmers are fooled and foiled!What else do you like to do, other than write books? I play bass guitar, keyboards and write songs and sing in a pop band in my spare time.What would be your perfect day? Lying guiltlessly on a beach ! in the s unshine all day then playing a sell-out stadium gig in the evening!What five words best sum you up? Very, very lucky, slightly tired.What’s next for Steve Cole? Nailing the last chapter of the latest book, then dreaming up the first chapter of the next.
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Intermediate Interesting rumour off handled Toy Story off

There have been more than a small number of complaints that the Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction Toy Story Midway Mania went down for maintenance right in the middle of summer. Not just that, but with Toy Story 3 still raking in big bucks at the box office, you would expect the attraction to be open for guests to experience a little of that synergy Disney is so famous for. So there must be a very good reason for it to be down right now.

August is technically Value Season, so the lighter crowds is a good time make some changes in the parks. Plus, with Star Tours going down in September, it’s a good plan to make any updates to the TSMM right now.

But wait? Didn’t they just add a new game? Indeed they did. And they did that overnight. This refurbishment is something more serious.

How serious? The Disney Gossip blog reports that a cast member was injured earlier in the year and this refurb is to implement changes, ie gates, so that the same accident doesn’t occur again. They are now adding gates to the exit side of the loading dock. This will make sure that no guests or cast members could fall back into the track after the cars depart. My question is, how did Disney keep this so quiet? I don’t see anything about this injury on any boards.

The attraction is scheduled to return to operation August 28th, but check online to be sure it’s operating.

Updated to add news about gates on exit side.

Stand out in a crowd with NEW MOO MiniCards - 100 unique mini-calling cards with new some great new features! Discuss this post, and anything else related to Disney, at the TownSquare Forums. Interesting Toy Story Midway Mania Rumor The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans

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